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OF THE 



PROCEEDINGS OF AN INDIAN COUNCIL, 



AT CATTARAUGUS, 



IK^ THE 



STATE OF NEW YORK; 



HELD 6 MONTH, 1843, 



V V 



lOf \m\ 



BALTIMORE: 

PRINTED BY WILLIAM WOO DDT. 

1843. 




REPORT, &C. 



To the General Committee on Indian Concerns, representin<^ 
the Yearly Meetings of Genesse, New York, Philadelphia and 
Baltimore. 

The delegation appointed to attend the Council of the Sene- 
ca nation at Cattaraugus, to be held on the 20th of the 6th 
month, 1843, 

Report^ 

That in compliance with the duty assigned them, they pro- 
ceeded to the Indian settlement, at Cattaraugus, and on ar- 
riving there, found the Indians had met in Council, and that 
the nation was represented by Chiefs from all the reservations. 

The particular object of this Council, it appears was, to take 
into consideration the Title, by which the Indian lands in the 
state of New York are at this time held, and to ascertain if 
measures could not be adopted, which would add further secu- 
rity in the tenure and possession of them; and also to endeavor 
to restore harmony in the nation, and a more united concert of 
action in regard to the execution of the treaty of 1842; about 
which much discordance of opinion, and considerable excite- 
ment had taken place, under very erroneous and improper mis- 
representations that had been mischievously circulated 
amongst these people. The attendance and aid of Friends on 
the occasion, was requested, and under that request this com- 
mittee was appointed. 

Previous to embarking in the service, the committee deemed 
it proper to acquaint the government with their desire to be 
present at the proposed Council; and to inquire if there would 
be any objection, upon which the following reply was re- 
ceived: 



War Department, Office of Indian Jlffairs^ 

June 20th, 1843. 
Sir, 

I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 10th 
instant, asking permission for a deputation of Friends to be 
present at a Council of Indians, to be held at Cattaraugus on 
the 20th inst. Tliere certainly can be no objection to granting 
this request, and thc^ Department anticipates much benefit to 
the Indians from the good counsels of the members of your 
Society. 

I regret the delay in answering your letter, which I beg 
leave to assure you was entirely accidental. 

Very respectfully, your most ob. servant, 

T. HARTLEY CRAWFORD. 
P. E. Thomas, 

Baltimore, Md. 

The committee, by invitation, attended the Council on the 
morning of the 6th month 22, when G. M. Cooper addressed 
the Chiefs assembled as follows: 

'"Brothers! The Great Spirit and father of us all, has once 
more permitted us to meet together — and it becomes us, as His 
children, to turn our minds inward to Him, and look to his 
teaching for wisdom to direct us in the things that may come 
before us. He has already bestowed many blessings upon us, 
and these will increase if we continue to be his obedient chil- 
dren. I hope we feel individually grateful for the blessings 
we have received. In transacting the business that may come 
before us, I desire that we may all be preserved in a spirit of 
quietude, condescension and love one towards another. This 
will enable us to preserve that order and decorum, which be- 
comes a deliberative body, and lead to the termination of the 
business that may come before us, to the satisfaction of us 
all." 

Seneca White, on behalf of the Council, replied as follows: 

"Brothers! We feel thankful to the Great Spirit that he has 



preserved us since our separation, and has permitted so many 
of our friends to leave their homes to come to see us — we are 
thankful there is so much interest felt among you on our be- 
half. It is our duty to return thanks to the Great Spirit for his 
protection — his providential care and keeping. 

"Brothers! The Great Spirit has once more permitted you 
to visit the Senecas — we are glad to see you at this time. We 
greatly need your counsel and advice in the present critical 
situation of our affairs — we are thankful for what you have 
heretofore done, by aiding and advising us, and we hope you 
will be enabled to give us advice at the present time. 

"Brothers! We pray the Great Spirit to bless your labors 
among us, and that we may pursue such a course as will be 
for our real benefit." 

The minutes of a former Council were then read, by which 
it appeared that the Indians had at that time under considera- 
tion, the subject of the better security of the "Title" of their 
lands in the state of New York, and had requested the assis- 
tance of Friends in enabling them to accomplish this desirable 
object. The committee were now called upon to know if any 
progress had been made in this matter, and whether there was 
a prospect of success. 

This subject being one of great importance to the Indians, 
it was considered necessary that they should all understand 
St thoroughly. 

G. M. Cooper, accordingly, made the following observations 
in relation to it, and gave the Indians a reason why no pro- 
gress had yet been made in it. 

"Brothers ! As the subject before the Council is probably 
new to some who were not present at the time when it was 
introduced, I will endeavor to explain the object of it. After 
the ratification of the Treaty of 1842, it became the concern 
of your nation, to have the lands, which by that Treaty were 
re-conveyed to you, secured in such manner, that you, as well 
as your posterity after you— mis^ht be assured of enjoying a 



6 

permanent residence, on the two restored Reservations of Cat" 
taraugus and Alleghany — this we approved — we were sensible 
that, like causes might produce like effects, and inasmuch as the 
lands you yet hold, remain subject to the pre-emptive claim of 
the Oijden Company; and they having once been sold might 
be sold again, and you deprived of a home in the state of New 
York. We know that the great majority of your people de- 
sire to remain in the lands bequeathed to you by your forefa- 
thers, and your friends greatly desire they may be secured to 
you — so that no power on earth can take them from you, 
without the free consent of the owners. 

At the Council held last winter, it was therefore suggested 
that it would be well for the nation to take some steps 
that would be likely to ensure the security of your homes — af- 
ter a full discussion of the subject at that time, among your- 
selves, the Council agreed to refer the whole matter to 
Friends, in order that if any way opened for them to move in 
it, they might do so. I am sorry to say, that soon after I had 
returned home and reported the conclusion of the nation, I 
heard there \vas some dissatisfaction among the Indians, with 
regard to the arrangements made by the Treaty of 1842, and 
that some of them had signed a petition to the government of 
the United States, in order to make an effort to annul that 
Treaty. Therefore your friends wisely concluded, under the 
circumstances of the case, to defer making any application to 
the Legislature of New York, until you could become more 
united on the subject — they thought that if they pursued this 
tiling under such circumstances, there would be a danger of 
creating a greater feeling of enmity with your brethren, who 
had become dissatisfied with that treaty, and might otherwise 
make dilficulties in the way which could not be overcome — > 
we believed also that time and experience would satisfy most, 
if not all of the Indians, that the terms of the Treaty of 1S4-2, 
were the best that could be procured for you, and that when 
you would have become satisfied of this fact, your friends 
could move in unitv with tlie nation. 



*'t hope the explanation I have given will satisfy you, and 
that you will now understand the cause why we did not pro- 
gress in the business that you entrusted to us. 

"This subject is of great importance to you, and we are 
willing to assist you, as far as it is in our power, to accom-' 
plish it, at the same time we want you clearly to understand, 
that, in case your minds have changed since last year, we have 
no disposition to urge you to do any thing against your wishes 
or your will — we therefore wish you again to consider it calm- 
ly and dispassionately in the present Council; I want you to 
understand that your title to the Cattaraugus and Alleghany 
Reservations is just as good as it was 100 years ago — there is 
no power on earth that can deprive you of these Lands with- 
out your consent, so long as you remain united to keep and 
not sell them- — we do not want you to be deceived by any 
idle story, that you cannot keep possession of these two Re- 
servations — you have been told that you cannot, under any 
circumstances, stay here but a short time; this is not true, your 
stay here depends entirely upon your own choice; your only 
difficulty lies here; by your present laws a majority of your 
Chiefs can sell all the Lands of the nation, although the majo- 
rity of the people may be opposed to such sale. 

*^This we think is unjust, and we again call your attention 
seriously to it." 

The Indians then went into a discussion of the subject, 
among themselves, in which the I'brmer emigration party ac- 
tively participated. The whole Council m.anifested much in- 
terest and anxiety, to have their homes made secure against the 
spirit of avarice and cruelty, which is seeking to dispossess 
them of the small residue of their once extensive domain. 

The Council, after a free and excitmg discussion, proceeded 
to appoint a committee with great unanimity, consisting of seven 
Chiefs, taken from the different Reservations, to unite with 
Friends, in the further consideration of the subject, and in- 
structed them to report to a future sitting of the Council, what 



course would be safest and best for the nation to pursue in or- 
der to ensure this desirable object. 

Before the committee left the Council, to confer with the 
Chiefs just appointed, G. M. Cooper made the following addi- 
tional remarks: 

"Brothers ! It affords us great satisfaction to see so much 
unity among you. It is gratifying for us to see so many, who 
have not been in the practice of latter time, of taking part in 
the deliberations and decisions of the Council, now uniting 
with their brethren in one common cause, of deep interest to 
you all. It seems to afford an evidence that you will see better 
days. 

"Brothers ! It is a self-evident truth, that a house divided 
against itself cannot stand — and I rejoice in believing that the 
day is coming, when we shall see among you, brothers united 
to brothers as one family. And now we sincerely desire, that 
the things which are past, and which have produced much un- 
pleasant feeling in the minds of some, may be left behind; and 
let all look forward for better things, and better days. It be- 
comes the dignity of men to forgive those whom they consid- 
er their enemies — you may rest assured that where this princi- 
ple is carried out, it always ends in good. We wish, there- 
fore, that you may leave the things that are past, and hereafter 
cordially unite together as brethren — this will not only pro- 
mote your happiness here, but will have a tendency to se- 
cure it hereafter." 

On the succeeding morning the committee of Chiefs before 
alluded to, made the following Report: 

"The committee to whom was referred the subject of the 
Title to the Lands of the Senecas, having met with the com- 
mittee of Friends, now attending the Council, and heard their 
views, have upon consideration agreed to report, to wit: 

"That in order to obtain a more effectual security to the 
Title of our Lands, application be made to the Legislature of 
New York, to pass a law authorizing us to convey, in Trust, 
all our Lands to that state.— Conditioned 1st,. That the state 



9 

cannot hereafter alienate it without the consent of two-thirds 
of the male population of the Senecas, of the lawful age of 21 
years, in Council assembled, — and 2d. That the Seneca nation 
cannot hereafter alienate it without the consent of the slate. — 
The said Trust to continue so long as the pre-emptive claim to 
the Lands of the Senecas shall exist. But in case it shall be 
ascertained by consulting good legal Counsel, that such con- 
veyance in Trust cannot be made, or is not the best method 
of securing such Title — then some other plan should be adopt- 
ed to effect this desirable object. 

In order to carry out this object, we propose that the pre- 
sent Council appoint a committee, to co-operate with Friends, 
with instructions to consult the best legal authority on the sub- 
ject, and report to a future Council of the nation, for its consid- 
eration, what course is the wisest and best for the Senecas to 
pursue, to accomplish this object. Which is respectfully sub- 
mitted. 

Signed, George Lindsey, 

M. B. Pierce, 
Samuel Gorden, 
Isaac Shanks, 
Henry Two Guns, 
Tunis Halftown, 
Jacob Blacksmith. 
The Report being read, 

William Crouse^ — rose and objected to it, '-he did not see 
that it proposed any thing that would positively secure their 
Lands from the Ogden Company— he thought that the only 
way to make them secure in their possessions would be to di- 
vide their Lands, and let each Indian have the right and title to 
his own." 

G. M. Cooper replied — "J presume the Chief who has just 
spoken, does not clearly understand the Report. The sub- 
stance of the report is simply to appoint a committee, to unite 
with a committee of Friends— the business of this committee 
is to seek out a path to travel in with safety — there have been 
several paths pointed out to walk in — now if this committee, 

w7 



10 

after taking legal advice, tliiiik that the proposition to convey 
the Indian Lands in Trust, to the state of New York, is not a 
safe or a good path, they will try to find out another — and 
when they have found one in which they can walk with safe- 
ty, they will call the nation together, and lay it before them, 
and the nation will then determine whether it is best for them 
to walk in it. The proposed committee are only to investigate 
the subject more fully than has yet been done — they are not 
to do any thing else — they are not authorized to act until they 
report to you, and get your instruction. Individuals of this 
nation may have their plans for securing these Lands, but if 
they act in a matter like this, without legal knowledge, their 
plans may be of no avail — we think the plan which the report 
proposes to adopt, is a safe one. But your Friends have no 
desire to influence you to adopt the report, unless you clearly 
comprehend it, and are satisfied with it." 

The deep importance of the measure now before the Coun- 
cil, involving an entire change in the whole Indian economy, 
as well as manner of administering their national aflairs, and 
proposing to divest the Chiefs of a power long exercised by 
them, as might be expected, produced considerable excite- 
ment. P. E. Thomas, who had been prevented, by indisposi- 
tion, from attending at an earlier period, addressed the Coun- 
cil as follows: 

"Brothers ! 1 have just risen from a bed of sickness, and 
am still very feeble; I can therefore not say many words to you. 
But the deep interest I feel in your welfare, does not allow 
me to remain silent, Avhen T see you in danger of being mista- 
ken on a subject of so much importance to you, as the matter 
now under consideration. It is more than forty years 
since I first sat in an Indian Council in the state of Ohio, in 
company with otlier Friends, then much older than myself, 
for the purpose of deliberating upon matters that concern- 
etl the welfare of your people; and I have frequently since 
that time, been at Indian Councils in ditferent parts of this 



11 

country, for the like purpose. I make these remarks that you 
may be satisfied, what I am about to say, comes from an old 
and sincere friend to your people. 

"Brothers! After carefully examining into the Title by 
which you hold your Lands, 1 admit that this Title is safe 
while you continue to be a united people; but what assurance 
have you that this will be the case. The past should admonish 
you that unless some measures are adopted, which will whol- 
ly change the manner of selling your Lands, you may soon 
be again annoyed by those who claim a pre-emptive right to 
purchase these Lands. The same efforts that have been here- 
tofore made, will again be repeated, and the same means will 
be employed, to induce your Chiefs to dispose of the property 
of the nation, and you have no guarantee that you will not be 
driven from your homes in the state of New York, and com- 
pelled to seek a refuge for yourselves — and for your wives and 
your children, in the wilderness. 

"This being the true state of your case, it is very important 
that some change should take place in the mode of alienating 
your lands, and the question is, what will be the best means 
of effecting a purpose which we all admit is necessary, and so 
much desire ? Your friends have reflected deeply and very 
long upon this matter — and they approve of the course now 
proposed. — x\ccording to the existing usage of your na- 
tion, your Chiefs have, by a bare majority, the right to sell and 
dispose of the Lands of the Seneca nation. The Report be- 
fore you proposes that this right shall, hereafter, be vested in 
the whole nation, in full Council assembled; and that it can 
then only be done by the vote of two-thirds of the whole adult 
male population. You know that by the Treaty of 1838, a 
company of speculators, through the agency of a majority of 
your Chiefs, succeeded in takinn^ away all your Lands, and that 
by the exertions of your friends, assisted by the Secretary of 
War and the President of the United States, they have been re- 
luctantly induced to convey back to you, the two Reservations 
of Cattaraugus and Alleghany, wliich you now hold in undis- 



12 

puted possession. Do you believe this company have abated 
in their desire to possess themselves of these Lands? Or are 
you not yourselves sensible that as soon as they will have dis- 
posed of tlie Reservations which they liave retained, they will 
renew their efforts, without regard to the means used, to obtain 
the others also ? 

"It has been said by one of your Chiefs, that this plan does 
not afford absolute security — this is certainly true. But it 
should be borne in mind that there is nothing in this world so 
absolutely certain but that it may be subject to change. The 
question is not then whether, by the measure now proposed, 
you will have obtained perfect securit}^ — but whether it offers 
the best security that circumstances will permit. After look- 
ing all around, the plan suggested appears to us, to be the best 
you can adopt. There are among you wise experienced men, 
upon whom you can confide, and we advise you to select from 
them a prudent, judicious committee, to take the subject into 
further consideration, as proposed, in order to ascertain if this 
is a judicious course for you to pursue, or see if there be a 
better path for you to walk in. 

"Brothers ! Jn order that there may be no misunderstand- 
ing in regard to our meaning, I will repeat the views of your 
friends upon this matter. 1st. We advise you to place the 
Title of your Lands in such a situation as will put it out of 
the power of any body to cheat you out of them; but at the same 
time to leave youselves at liberty to sell these Lands should it 
really be the desire of the nation to do so — ^without this privi- 
lege you could not be the owners of the Land. Our purpose 
then is not to weaken 3'^our ownership of it, but to place your 
Title in such a position that it will be impossible for any one 
to deprive you of it witliout your consent. 2d. We further 
recommend that as soon as you desire it, your Lands should 
be laid out into tracts of convenient size, such as yourselves 
should prefer — that these farms should be apportioned among 
your people in such manner as you may conclude right,the deeds 
for them to be recorded in the office for recordino^ deeds, in the 



13 

county where the Lands lie — from this time they will become 
individual property; and it will not be in the power, even of 
the nation, to deprive any individual of his home, wiihont his 
consent. 

3dly. That there be extended to you whenever you choose to 
accept it, the rights and privileges of citizens of the state of New 
York — then, and not till then, you may consider yourselves 
safe in the Tide to your Lands, and may go on to improve 
your several farms with perfect security. 

"Brothers! In such an undertaking as this, it is necessa- 
ry to proceed step by step — we cannot accomplish every thing 
at once — when these several matters will have been succes- 
sively gained, the next object of your friends will be to give 
you such advice and assistance, in the cultivation of your land, 
and in the education of your cliildren, as will tend to promote 
the elevation of your people, to the moral and intellectual con- 
dition of the white people of this country.'' 

A Chief wished to have the object and effect of a Deed of 
Trust more fully explained — he did not understand it clearly. 
P. E. Thomas replied. '"This kind of conveyance does not 
interfere with theTitle to your Land. It is called a Trust Deed, 
because the person who holds it, does so for the use and bene- 
fit of another, and not for himself. It is such a Title as a pa- 
rent holds on Lands belonging to his children: under this kind 
of Title, the child cannot sell his Land without the consent 
of its parent, neither can the parent make any disposition of 
it but for the benefit of the child. The Indians will continue 
to hold the same Title under such Deed as they now hold — 
the only difTerence is, they cannot sell their Land without the 
consent of their Guardian. Their Guardian cannot sell it nor 
can he come upon the Land to interfere with you, or in any 
wise disturb you — nor is the Guardian to receive any compen- 
sation. The only difficulty would be to get the state of New 
York to take the Trust proposed; but we hope the state will 
be willing to extend its care and Guardianship over you. 



14 

"In conclusion I wish you clearly to understand, that in of- 
fering these views we do not desire improperly to press them — 
we do not come here to dictate to you, or to urge you to adopt 
any measures which you do not approve — we have come a 
long distance to sit with you in Council; and we have, as your 
friends, given you the best advice we could — we have told you 
that we consider it important that you should make some 
change with regard to the manner of selling your Lands; be- 
cause, unless this is done, we most certainly believe you will 
be in danger of losing your present homes, and be compelled, as 
you would have been, had the Treaty of 1S3S been carried 
into effect, to seek a home in a distant wilderness, where mise- 
ry, and poverty, and death, would have followed you. I 
could unfold to you a picture of the sufferings that have befall- 
en some of the Indian Tribes, who have been compelled to re- 
move to the west, that would make you shudder with horror; 
your removal there might be attended with similar calamities. 
And I most anxiously hope that such miseries may never over- 
take the small remnant, now left, of the once numerous and 
powerful Seneca nation. 

"Having given you our advice, we have accomplished the 
purpose for which we came here, and will leave you to dis- 
cuss the matter now under consideration, among yourselves, 
earnestly desiring that tlie Great Spirit may so direct your 
counsels that in your deliberations, you may be enabled to ar- 
rive at a wise and safe conclusion." 

As Friends were about to retire, G. M. Cooper informed the 
Council "that the committee would remain until to-morrow, 
and if they desired any further assistance duriug the day, they 
would return in the afternoon.'' 

The conimiltec then withdrew and the Council proceeded to 
a deliberate consideration of llie report, which, after discussion, 
was adopted with great unanimity; and three Chiefs were ap- 
pointed a comn-iittee, to carry it out as therein proposed. 

Under an arrangement of the delegation, it was subsequent- 
ly concluded to commit the further management of this con- 



15 

cern, so far as Friends might be called on to act, to the espe- 
cial care of the New York committee, and they have under- 
taken to attend to it, with the understanding, that should they 
deem it necessary, they will have liberty, to call to their aid 
such advice and co-operation on the part of the other Year- 
ly Meetings committee, as they may apprehend requisite. 

During the discussion that took place on the subject of se- 
curing the Indian Title, Israel Jemison, who had formerly 
occupied the station of a Chief among the Senecas, but had 
resigned his office, in consequence of dissatisfaction at the 
proceedings of the Council of 1842, rose and made some re- 
marks, in which he said, "that Friends had deceived the In- 
dians — that they had obtruded themselves upon them, and had 
interfered with their business; and that it was they, who had 
fixed the Treaty of 1838, upon the Senecas, and he warned the 
nation not to listen to our advice, saying he had no confidence 
in us — that we had got up the Treaty of 1842, in order to de- 
prive the Indians of their Reservations." 

These remarks were exclusively addressed, by him, to the 
Indians, and were not intended for us. But on being inform- 
ed of the import of his communication, it was thought proper 
to take notice of it. 

G. M. Cooper therefore, with permission, addressed the 
Council as follows: 

"If I understand ray brother's talk, he has endeavored to 
convey the idea, that we have heretofore improperly interfered 
with the concerns of the Indians; and have endeavored to 
force things upon them. If I could possibly conceive of any in- 
terest we could have in forcing things upon you — or deceiving 
you, his remarks might have more effect upon ray feelings 
than they have. I do not recollect the time that we have ask- 
ed you for your money — we have never asked you for any of 
your Lands — neither have we ever attempted to force our re- 
ligion upon you. You yourselves know, that we have never 
asked any thing of you, as a reward for oui labor. 



16 

*' We have asked you to be sober — we have asked you to be 
iiuliistrions — lo be honest — we liave asked voli to live toge- 
ther in harmony and love. These are the things that we have 
asked of you, and urged upon you — but we hai'^e never prac- 
tised deception upon you. We have never imposed ourselves 
upon the Seneca nation. On the other hand, the Senecas, 
xvhen pressed by difficulties, have come to us, and solicited us 
to assist them — to give them advice — and none have been more 
anxious to have our aid than Jemison himself. Does he not 
remember that he was one of the deputation sent from the na- 
tion, during their late troubles, to ask our aid-^why has he 
changed his mind ? WHiy does he now say, he has no confi- 
dence in us, and warn the Council against taking our advice? 
We have always felt interested in the welfare of your people — 
we continue to feel so — we have not changed. But notwith- 
standing the concern and interest we feel for your welfare, we 
have no desire of imposing ourselves upon you, or remaining 
with you a moment longer than we hav^e your confidence, and 
you wish our presence and aid. We came here at your re- 
quest—we undertook to aid you in your difnculties at your 
request, and now we plainly tell you, that if you no longer 
wish our aid and sympathy, you have only to say so, in a few 
words: We wish you distinctly to say what your wish is — 
you may be assured we will leave you, if you do not any 
longer wish our assistance— we have no disposition to inter- 
fere with your affairs." 

Israel Jemison now again rose, and said "he did not intend 
the remarks he had made for our ears— but as they had been 
interpreted to us, he would give his reasons for what he had 
said, and explain why he had lost his confidence in us. He 
then stated that he was informed, when in Philadelphia, that a 
division had taken place in the society of Friends, and went 
on to show tiiat his mind had been influenced against us by 
representations made to him by the Friends in Philadelphia, who 
were not of our pai ty, and who had told him that they had no 
contick^nce in us; and advised the Indians to have nothing to 



17 

do wiih us. He stated that himself and otiiers had been sent 
by the nation, to Philadelphia, to ask assistance of the society 
of Friends, after the Treaty of 1838 was ratified, and that they 
applied to the party there opposed to us first, who advised 
them to remove west, and professed to be willing to assist them 
in doing so. He said the deputation then called upon that 
part of the society to which we belonged, and solicited their 
aid. As soon as the other party found these Chiefs had inter- 
views with us, they from that moment declined any further 
communication with them, because they had no friendship for 
us — nor confidence in us. Jemison then added, that he had 
asked these Friends, (two of whom he named,) what they 
would do, if a great log lay in their path, which they could not 
themselves remove,and those who they now warned him against^ 
offered to assist them, would they not accept the ofier ? To 
this they replied, that they would not ! This, he said, con- 
vinced him that they had no confidence in us. How then 
could he have any?" 

Seneca White here rose, and stated, "That the charges 
made by Israel Jemison, might be supposed to come from the 
Council — but they did not. He thought it proper that Friends 
should hear the voice of the nation — ^and as they were about 
to leave for the night, the Chiefs would agree upon an answer 
to give them, and inform Friends when they would be ready.'' 

The Council continued in session some time after Friends 
had retired, and late in the evening a deputation of Chiefs 
waited upon us to say, they would be ready to see us 
at 10 o'clock, next morning, to which time they had ad- 
journed. 

6th month 24th. At the time proposed the commitlee again 
met the Indians in Council. 

Seneca White informed the committee, "that he had beenap= 

pointed by the Chiefs last evening, to say a few words which 

he wished us to listen to as the voice of the Seneca nation — 

and he would now proceed to di&xharge the duty entrusted to 

him. 

3 



18 

"Brothers! The Chiefs of the Seneca nation return to 
you their thanks for what you have done heretofore, as well as 
for what you have done at the present Council — they feel 
very grateful for the assistance you have rendered them. 
The proposition you have made with regard to the security of 
their Lands, they have concluded to adopt — we hope the 
Committee we have appointed to co-operate with you, will be 
successful in the attempt, that at some future day they may 
be able to propose to the nation for its consideration a safe 
plan for us to pursue. 

"Brothers ! We want you to understand that it is difficult 
for the Indians to comprehend at once all your propositions 
and counsel, and because of this misunderstanding, there may 
arise unpleasant remarks — which originate from ignorance, 
more than from bad motives — such remarks come from indi- 
viduals and not from the nation. It is true, we did ask as- 
sistance of both parties of the Society of Friends ; — the party 
opposed to you, considering our case hopeless, advised us to 
remove West — we consulted you on the subject of our affairs, 
when our Lands were taken from us by the Treaty of 1838, 
you did not advise us to go, and said you would do all you 
could for us — we are satisfied with what you have done, and 
believe it was the best that could be done for us under the 
circumstances of the case. It is not the wish of this Council 
that any thing should be said to mar the friendship between 
you and us — we wish you to forget any unpleasant remarks 
that may have been made here. 

"Brothers ! We wish you to understand that our confi- 
dence in you has not been shaken — we have not abated in 
our friendship for you, nor in our desire for your help, and 
assistance. It is the wish of this nation that you should con- 
tinue to assist the Indians — they have no others to look to but 
to the Society of Friends. The Chiefs are sensible that they 
are not competent to manage the difficulties which frequently 
arise between us and the Ogden Company. They therefore 



19 

look to you to render them advice and assistance in tlie pre- 
sent critical state of the affairs of the nation. 

"Brothers ! We wish to be particular in this respect — 
very frequently when we have asked advice of the whites, 
they have deceived iis. But in the conduct of the Friends, 
we have not discovered from the beginning of their labors, 
that they have ever acted incorrectly, or in any way done in- 
justice 10 the Indians — we have not found fault with their 
course of conduct towards us. 

"Brothers ! You have interested yourselves in Indian af- 
fairs for a long time — you have done a great deal for them and 
for the Senecas in particular — during all this time we have not 
found you to act dif>honestly — you have never required any pay 
for what you have done — but you have expended much of your 
time and your money — you have made many long journeys and 
encountered many difficulties for the express purpose of doing 
good to this nation. You have a regular system in transact- 
ing the affairs of the Indians — you have your meetings at 
home, where you consider what is for the welfare of the In- 
dians, and you appoint committees to visit us for the purpose 
of giving us assistance and advice. Now we have considered 
all these things, together with the interest you feel in our wel- 
fare, and we cannot have a single doubt but that you will do 
justice to the Indians — we have confidence that your interest 
in our welfare will continue for a long time to come. 

"Brothers ! Our affairs at present are very difficult — we 
hope you will not think it strange if we should trouble you 
many times by asking your advice and counsel. Our path is 
so difficult, that we cannot walk in it without your advice 
and assistance. 1 have now said all that I was requested to 
say on behalf of the Chiefs, and will only repeat, in conclu- 
sion, that the confidence of this nation in you has not been 
disturbed, and they wish you to continue to feel an interest in 
our welfare.'' 

As various attempts had evidently been made to impress up- 



20 

on the Indians, as well as others, an apprehension that but for 
the interference of Friends, in brins^ing about the Treaty of 
1842, these Indians might have retained all their lands in the 
state of New York; or in other words, that by this interference 
of Friends, they had in effect co-operated with the Ogden 
Company, in depriving these people of their two Reservations 
at Tonawando and Buffalo, it is due to all parties, that a plain 
authenicated narrative of the circumstances connected with 
this whole matter, should be here given, not only for the in- 
formation of our own members, who are directly implicated in 
the transaction, but to disabuse the public of the misrepresen- 
tations that have been made in regard to it.* 

The society of Friends which we represent, took no part, nor 
had they any concern, in bringing about the Treaty of 1838, by 
which the Senecas were alleged to have ceded, and by Deed 
conveyed, to the Ogden Land Company, all their Lands in the 
state of N. York, contained in the four Reservations, owned by 
them at Tonawando, Alleghany, Buffalo and Cattaraugus. After 
the execution of that Treaty and Deed of conveyance, the na- 
tion, who in fact always protested against,and denied the valid- 
ity of that Treaty, finding themselves about to be driven from 
their homes and becoming greatly alarmed at their situation, 
sent a deputation to Friends, imploring assistance in their then 
distressed situation. Friends in New York and Philadelphia, 



* In a paper published in Philadelphia, entitled The Friend, under 
date of the 4th month 29, 1843, there is a synopsis of the proceedings of 
the late Yearly Meeting [Orthodox] there referred to, in which, among 
other matters, is the following notice of a Report received from a Com- 
mittee of that Meeting: 

"The Report from the Indian Committee was painfully interesting. 
Through the influence of the separatists and interested persons, the 
Treaty of 1)^38 has been irrevocably fixed — though Friends had taken 
much pains to have an inquiry into the manner it was obtained, instituted 
by Government, and a strong hope was entertained that it would be an- 
nulled. The Indians were induced to sign a Supplemental Treaty last 
Spring, by which they gave up to the pre-emption holders the Uuflalo 
and Tonawando Reservations, comprising about 62,000 acres of (heir 
Land, and much the most valuable. None of the Tonawando Chiefs 
signed the Treaty, but earnestly protested against it." 



21 

to whom this deputation, in the first instance addressed itself, 
seeing the hapless condition to which these cruelly wronged 
people were reduced, and feeling deep sympathy for them, in 
their distress, determined to make an appeal to the government 
of the United States on their behalf, in the liope that relief in 
some way might be obtained. In this effort they were joined 
by Friends of Baltimore Yearly Meeting and a joint commit- 
tee from these three Yearly Meetings, and also from the Year- 
ly Meeting of Genesse, was appointed to attend to the ser- 
vice. 

After a protracted and arduous struggle, for the details of 
which we refer to the accounts already published in the Re- 
ports heretofore made, entitled "The Case of the Senecas," 
and a ''Further illustration of the Case of the Senecas," in 
which the difficulties and embarrassments that attended the 
labors of this committee are fully stated, a compromise ar- 
rangement was finally effected with the agents of the Ogden 
Company, by which that association agreed to surrender and 
re-convey back to the Seneca nation their two Reservations, at 
Alleghany and Cattaraugus, containing about 52,000 acres of 
land, or nearly one half of the whole quantity embraced in the 
four Reservations that had been ceded by the Treaty of 1838. 
This land was restored to the Senecas under precisely the 
same Title and tenure by which it was originally held by 
them; the company retaining the two other Reservations at 
Tonawando and Buffalo, and agreeing to pay the Indians for 
these Lands and the improvements thereon, as had been agreed 
upon, and provided for, by the Treaty of 1838. "And here the 
matter at present rests — the Indians having, by the act of 
their Chiefs, under the Treaty of 1838, dispossessed them- 
selves of all their Reservations of Land, and having bv the 
Treaty of 1842 obtained the restoration of two of these Re- 
servations. 

How Friends, under this plain statement of the matter, can 
justly be charged with having co-operated in depriving these 
Indians of any part of their Lands, every one will judge for 



22 

himself. How far they liave been instrumental in procuring 
the restoration of the portion now returned to them, will be 
seen by the following letter, addressed to the Chiefs from the 
War Department, in reply to a communication sent by them, 
to the President of the United States, complaining of the Treaty 
of 184-2, which dissatisfaction was no doubt the effect of the 
insiduous attempts to prejudice them against their Friends af- 
ter they had been the means of securing that recession and 
Treaty. 

(copy.) 

War Department, Office of Indians Affairs^ 

^prim, 1843. 
My Friends, 

Your letter of the first February last, to the Presi- 
dent of the United States, has been referred to this office, with 
instructions to me to answer it. I am sorry to discover that 
dissatisfaction exists amongst you, and trust that I may be able 
to show you all that it is without cause. 

The nation had alienated and sold all your Land by the 
Treaty of 1838. The last Treaty of May, 1842 was brought 
about by great exertions of your friends, who are still your 
best friends, and by the friendly countenance and aid of the 
War Department. This Treaty brings back to you two of your 
Reservations, and provides for you a home in New York, when 
you had parted from all your Lands there, by the first Treaty; 
and but for the last, you must have removed west. This sure- 
ly is a great accommodation to you; and besides, you are to 
be paid for the two Reservations you have parted with. The 
last Treaty has been ratified and confirmed by the United States, 
and you must remove; any attempt at remaining will be fatal 
to you, and I advise you as a friend, quietly to remove to the 
Reservations that are left to you. 

Your friend, 

T. HARTLEY CRAWFORD. 

To the Chiefs of the New York Indians, 

Jemmy Johnson, Henry Two Guns and others. 

Akron, N. York. 



23 

The difficulties thrown in the way by Jemison's remarks 
being now removed, the Council proceeded with its business. 
Seneca White informed the Committee that there was another 
subject on which the Indians wished our opinion and advice. 
He introduced it in the following manner : 

"Brothers ! The Indians wish to know what is your un- 
derstanding of the provisions of the Treaty of 1S4-2, and 
whether it is intended honestly to carry that Treaty into effect. 
You were present when that Treaty w'as made, you under- 
stand its provisions. We understand by the Treaty, that the 
Ogden Company have no right to take possession of our im- 
proved Lands till the expiration of two years, and our wild 
Lands for one month from the time the Appraisers file their 
Report in the ofHce of the Secretary of War. Now it seems, 
notwithstanding this provision of the Treaty, the Ogden Com- 
pany have sold certain portions of the Buffalo Creek Reserva- 
tion to a company of Germans, who have taken possession of it. 
Before these Germans took possession of the Lands, the Ogden 
Company sent a message to the* Chiefs through our Agent, 
Stephen Osborn, and he called them together and laid the sub- 
ject before them. The answer that the Indians returned was, 
that they could not permit the Germans to come and take pos- 
session of their Lands until the Treaty was fulfilled. A few 
days after this another Council of the Chiefs was held, and a 
number of Chiefs were present who were not at the first 
Council — they gave the same answer that they were unwilling 
to permit the Germans to settle on the Reservation. This was 
all done publicly. After this the Agent of the Ogden Com- 
pany went to some individual Indians and clandestinely made 
private contracts with them, and in this way a number of Ger- 
mans have been settled on the Reservation against our con- 
sent. We ask for your advice in this matter.'' 

The Committee, upon due consideration of the subject, 
made the following reply : 

"Brothers ! We have listened to what you have said, and 
will now give you our opinion of the Treaty of 184-2, and the 



24 

advice you ask for. You are well aware that by the Treaty 
of 1838, the Seneca nation was deprived of all its Lands in 
the state of New York except about one mile square at Oil 
Spring. It is not necessary I'ov us, nor would it be of any use 
now to inquire by what means that Treaty was procured. It 
is sufficient for us to say, that we believed when we first heard 
of it, and jjtill believe that it was an unjust Treat}' — we med 
our utmost eflxjrts to expose the frauds practised upon you in 
getting up that Treaty, in order to prevent its final sanction by 
the Government of the United States. Notwithstanding all 
this, it was ratified and proclaimed by the then President as 
the law of the land. The Treaty itself was made without our 
knowledo-e — we had no part in it. When we saw the situa- 
tion in which you were placed by it, our hearts were made 
sad — we looked around on every side for a safe path for you 
to walk in — but for a long time we saw no path but what was 
obstructed by difficulties that we could not walk over or 
remove out of the way. 

After great exertions, and much patient labor on the part of 
your friends, they were enabled at last, by the friendly aid and 
influence of the Secretary of War, and the President of the 
United States, to bring about the Supplemental Treaty of 
1842. The Terms of that Treaty were the best that your 
friends could obtain for you — by it there has been restored to 
you the two Reservations of Cattaraugus and Alleghany, of 
which your nation had been deprived by very unjust means. 
The provisions and stipulations of that Treaty were laid before 
you and explained "to you at a Council held in the 4th month 
of last year, when you almost unanimously agreed to accept 
it. It has been subsequently ratified with all the due forms of 
law. We advise you therefore to carry out on your part in 
good faith the Treaty you have made with the United States ; 
you will then secure the friendship and protection of the 
Government. The President expects this of you — and we 
plainly tell you that whoever advises you to resist it, whatever 
may be his pretensions, is your enemy, and we warn you to 



25 

avoid his counsel. The Government also expects the Ogden 
Company to fulfil the Treaty on their part, and you have a 
right to require them to do it. 

'•'We further advise you, in no case, nor under any promises 
or assurances to enter, either individually or nationally into 
any contract or agreement whatever — it may perhaps be used 
against you as a violation of the Treaty, which specifically lays 
down the terms and conditions under which it is to be carried 
into effect. Your people should be urged to avoid all sucli con- 
tracts — you have already been led into difficulty by thgm, and 
they may be the cause of much future trouble to you. If any 
intrusion is made upon your lands under pretence of private sales 
or contracts, it is a violation of the Treaty, and the nation ought 
to protest against it, and apply to the Government for protec- 
tion. You are justly entitled to all the advantages and privi- 
leges of this Treaty, and we have no doubt but the Govern- 
ment will secure them to you. 

"The 5th article of the Treaty provides, that the forester 
unimproved Lands on the Tonawando and Buffalo Reserva- 
tions shall be surrendered to the Ogden Land Company in one 
month after the award of the arbitrators shall be filed in the 
office of the Secretary of War. And it also provides, that the 
improved Lands shall be surrendered within two years fi-om 
the filing the said award as aforesaid, when the value of the 
improvements shall be paid to the President of the United 
States, to be distributed among the owners thereof." 

By this it is clearly provided, that the Lidians shall enjoy 
the quiet and undisturbed possession of their Lands until the 
Ogden Company have fulfilled the Treaty so far as to pay for 
their improvements — which is not yet done, and consequently 
they have no right to intrude upon the two Reservations of 
Tonawando and Buffalo. 

That the Indians have a just claim to the protection here 

assured under the provisions of the Treaty of 184*2 is very 

certain, and we trust it will, in good faith be extended to 

them. They have also a further claim to the quiet and peace- 

4 



26 

able possession and occupancy of their Land in the state of N. 
York, under the repeated stipulations contained in a succes- 
sion of treaties made with them by the Government during 
the past fifty years, as well as from the unqualified assurances 
of General Washington, when President of the United States. 
At an interview with Corn Planter, the head Chief of the 
Seneca nation, who had formally and officially waited upon 
General Washington, as the Chief Magistrate of the United 
States, in relation to the tenure of these lands, General Wash- 
ington did, in his reply to the address of that Chief, solemnly 
guarantee to the Seneca nation,this very Land, in the following 
emphatic declaration which was delivered to him, and has been 
preserved to the present time, towit. "lam not uninformed that 
the Six Nationst have been led into some difficulty with respect 
to the sale of their Lands since the peace, but I must inform 
you that these evils arose before the present Government of 
the United States was established, when the separate States 
and individuals under their authority undertook to treat with 
the Indian Tribes respecting the sale of their Lands. But the 
case is now entirely altered — the General Government, only, 
has the power to treat with the Indian natives, and any Treaty 
formed and held without its authority will not be binding. 

"Here then is the security for the remainder of your Lands; 
no State or person can purchase your Lands unless at some 
public Treaty held under the authority of the United States. 
The General Government will never consent to your being 
defrauded, but will protect you in all your rights. 

"Hear well and let it be heard by every person in 

YOUR NATION, THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UnITED StATES 
declares, THAT THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS IT- 



I The Six Nations here referred to, constituted, at that time, a numerous 
and powerful confederation ; they were composed of the following tribes, 
viz. Senecas, Onondagoes, Tuscaroras, Oneidas, Cayugas and Mohawks. 
The Council fires of the two last tribes have gone out, and they no lon- 
ger have a national existence. Of the Oneidas a very small remnant is 
left on the Reservation near to the Oneida Lake, in the state of New York. 



27 

SELF BOUND TO PROTECT YOU IN ALL YOUR LaND SECURED TO 
YOU BY THE TrEATY AT FoRT StaNWIX, THE TWENTY- 
SECOND OF October, one thousand seven hundred and 
EIGHTY-FOUR, except suc/i parts as you may have since fairly 
sold to persons properly authorised to purchase of you. 

"Your great object seems to be the security of your remain- 
ing Lands, and I have therefore, upon this point meant to be 
sufficiently strong and clear, that in future you cannot be de- 
frauded of your Lands — that you possess the right to sell your 
Lands, and that therefore the sale of your Lands in future, 
will depend entirely on yourselves. The United States will 
be true and faithful to their agreement." 

The Committee having rendered the Indians such assistance 
and advice, as the situation of their affairs seemed to require, 
were now about to withdraw, and in the conclusion of the inter- 
view with them, John Jackson made the following remarks : 

"Brothers ! We are now about to leave you, in order to 
return to our respective homes, and before we part we wish to 
say a few words to ^on. Our forefathers and your forefathers 
made a covenant with each other, in which they mutually 
promised that their friendship should continue so long as the 
sun and the moon should endure. We do not wish that 
friendship broken. We profess the same principles by which 
our forefathers were governed in their benevolent endeavors 
to improve the condition of your people — we speak the same 
language which they spoke to you. When we look back and 
remember what was your situation when our fathers first came 
to see you in the wilderness — when you had but a very small 
portion of your Land cultivated, and your people were much 
given to intemperate habits, to the great injury of your nation, 
and compare your situation then to what it is now, it is cheer- 
ing to us to see the improvement you have already made, not 
only by discarding the use of spirituous liquors, but also in 
your mode of procuring the necessaries of life by cultivating 
the earth. This is encouraging to us, and we believe your 



28 

comforts will continue to increase as you improve in habits of 
temperance and industry. 

"Brothers ! Our fathers long ago advised you to withdraw 
your women from the labors of the held, that they might at- 
tend to domestic employments — this is their proper business — 
while the men should engage more extensively in agricultural 
employments, and in those trades and occupations that will 
promote the good of the whole community. This advice we 
repeat to you, and desire to impress upon your minds the 
importance of attending to it. 

We affectionately exhort you to become united, and live in 
peace with one another and with all men. This is one of the 
greatest blessings you can enjoy. It will enable you to over- 
come many difficulties, and will be a source of great encour- 
agement and gratification to your friends. If you live in peace 
the Great Spirit will be with you, and His blessing will rest 
upon you. 

"We wish you to keep your children steadily at school, and 
thus secure to them that moral and literary instruction that 
will elevate them to the rank of intelligent good citizens, and 
crown with full success the long and patient labors of your 
friends, for the happiness and prosperity of the Seneca nation. 

"Brothers! Notwithstanding we have made a long jour- 
ney to see you, and have encountered many trials, yet we are 
glad that we have had the opportunity of shaking hands with 
our Indian brethren, and assuring them of the interest we feel 
in their welfare — and we wish that our parting may be under 
feelings of mutual friendship and good will. Sincerely de- 
siring for you the protection of the Great Preserver of m.en, 
whose providential eye is upon you as well as upon us, I bid 
you for myself and for the Friends now present — farewell." 

Governor Blacksnake, a very aged Chief, supposed to be 
near one hundred years old, who had attended all the sittings 
of the Council, and had travelled forty miles on horse-back, in 
one day, that he might be present, now rose and made the 
following concluding remarks: 



29 

"Brothers and Friends ! You have now taken leave of 
us, and are about to go — before we separate I wish to say a few 
words in conclusion. The communication you have made — and 
the advice you have given us is intended for our instruction that 
we may become a happy and a prosperous people. 

"You have advised us how to conduct our business — you 
have told us that our women should be taken from the field 
and employed in the house, and that the men should attend to 
the employment of ihe field; you have also given us some 
general instructions for the whole — all that you have said is 
correct — you spoke also with regard to the instruction of our 
children, that they might become intelligent and useful citizens 
— we thank you for this advice — we wish you to understand 
that all these things are in progression, but we are happy to 
hear you repeat these things to us. 

"Now in conclusion we will endeavor to remember you in 
our prayers, that you may return safely to your homes — we 
will also hope that at some future day, we may be permitted 
to meet you again. We are glad you continue to feel so much 
interest in our welfare. It is a long time since our fathers 
have covenanted with your fathers that there should be a 
friendship between you and us. 

"We have remembered all these things — we now put them 
all together — we feel grateful for your kindness — ^w^e are also 
happy to see our friends and sisters, that are with you, who 
have come here for the purpose we suppose, of looking into 
the condition of the Indians — we return our thanks for their 
kindness. This is all we have to say, now you are about to 
retire." 

The business of the Council having been brought to a satis- 
factory close, it was now adjourned j having first Resolved^ 
with a single dissenting voice, to abide and carry out the Treaty 
of 1842; and secondly, determined immediately to call on the 
Government to see that the Treaty be faithfully executed on 
its part, as well as on the part of the Ogden Company. In 
these proceedings the Tonawando Chiefs cordially united, of 



30 

course the late schism, which had unhappily been produced 
between these sections of the Seneca nation, it is hoped, is 
healed. 



In concluding this Report it is a source of sincere gratifica- 
tion to the committee, that they can assure their friends there 
is a progressive and very obvious improvement gradually tak- 
ing place among the Senecas, both as regards their social and 
moral condition. By the cultivation of their land, and raising 
of stock, they are generally well supplied with provisions — 
they are peaceable and orderly in their deportment, and 
have very much discarded the use of ardent spirits; during 
the whole of our stay at the Reservation, we did not see 
one Indian intoxicated; and consequently they have become 
greatly emancipated from the long catalogue of evils, that in- 
variably accompany habitual intemperance — no spirituous li- 
quors are permitted now to be sold in the Cattaraugus Reserva- 
tion, and it is believed the time is not far distant, when the Sene- 
cas will banish altogether from among them the use of ardent 
spirits, as a drink, and become in this respect a light to those 
by whom they are surrounded. 

The progress they have made in agriculture, is as great as 
could have been reasonably anticipated, when we consider the 
unsettled condition in which they have been kept, and the cir- 
cumstances under which they have been placed. 

It could not be expected, that the wilderness should be con- 
verted into a fruitful field, as quickly under their hands, as un- 
der the hands of white settlers — the latter commence their op- 
erations in the wilderness, with the knowledge and experience 
of generations that have gone before them — while the Indians 
on the other hand, have all this knowledge to acquire — they 
have to contend ao-ainst the habits and customs of their ances- 
tors, to remove the incentives to indolence, and the old obsta- 
cles to industry, which have been accumulating for ages. It 



31 

should also be borne in mind that the Senecas have been al- 
most constantly annoyed, for the last 30 or 40 years, by the 
efforts of the company claiming to liave a pre-emptive right to 
purchase their Lands, and to dispossess them of their homes. 
In view therefore of the difficulties with which they have had 
to contend, their present state of improvement cannot fail to 
encourage the cheering hope, that the benevolent enterprise in 
which the society of Friends, have so long been engaged, hav- 
ing for its object their civilization, will finally, under the di- 
vine blessing, be crowned with success. 

Their present situation, however, is one of much peril and dif- 
ficulty, and in the existing critical state of their affairs 
we believe they have a claim upon their friends for increased 
exertion and vigilance. For, if those who profess to be their 
advocates, and to whom alone they look up for advice, should 
relax in their efforts, and abandon them to the devices of their 
enemies, the last remnant of their possessions will be taken 
from them, and they will be driven to a far distant wilderness, 
where under the accumulated sufierings that would there await 
them they must soon cease to exist — the Council fire of the 
Senecas will for ever be extinguished, and no trace of this 
once numerous and powerful people, will be found, except in the 
record which history may preserve of the wrongs they en- 
dured: and the cruel destruction which an insatiable avarice 
inflicted upon them. 



On behalf of the Committee, 



Gth month, 1843. 



G. M. COOPER, 
AB. BELL, 
JOHN JACKSON, 
WM. E. BARTLETT. 



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